Caribbean Spices up the Concrete Jungle

EATERY:

Caribbean Spice (Mobile Kitchen)

LOCATION:

46th Street and 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036

REVIEWS:

While in search for the “Jamaican Dutchy” cart in Midtown we stumble upon their new rival “Caribbean Spice”. From what I heard they have (or had) a restaurant in Hells Kitchen. So with our growling stomach prevented us to walk another seven blocks we decided to give it a try. We got the Jamaica’s national dish Ackee And Salt Fish ($10) and Jerk Chicken (Sm $7/ Lg $8.95). Each entrée come with your choice of Rice & Peas, White Rice or “Ground Provision” (Yam, Banana and Dumpling). After 10 minutes of waiting (with only two orders in front of us) finally we got our food. It is my first time trying Ackee, a native West African fruit that later introduced to Jamaica. Only a small part of the fruit is edible and the rest is poisonous. The fruit must only be picked after it has opened naturally, and it must be fresh and not overripe. Immature and overripe ackee fruit are also poisonous. My Jamaican friend told me it is super hard to find fresh ackees in the city so they probably used canned version. To make the Ackee And Salt Fish the salt cod is sautéed with boiled ackee, onions, peppers, tomatoes and herbs. The Ackee resembles looks and texture of a very smooth scramble egg. The sudden flavor of the salt cod and spices greatly compliments the silky fruit. The Ground Provision contains two Boiled Plantains, two Dumplings (quite dry in the center) and steamed cabbage. Upon the friendly & sweet crew’s suggestion The Jerk Chicken comes with Rice and Peas (kidney beans). The birds are blackened with great flavor (probably the reason why we have to wait long cause they are charring them on the grill). It is super tasty, juicy and warning you SPICY! Highly recommended!

RANTS & RAVES:

Anybody try the Jamaica Dutchy yet? How does it compared? They are definitely in the Caribbean time zone so expect relatively longer waiting time. Also on the menu: Escoveitch King Fish ($9) Salt Fish Cooked-Up ($Sm $7/ Lg $8) Curry Goat (Sm $7/ Lg $8) Oxtail (Sm $7.95/ Lg $9.95) It is situated next to the Briyani Cart

TAGS:

New York City Midtown Jamaican Caribbean